Atlanta Hawks Mourn Passing of Former Owner and Media Pioneer Ted Turner at 87
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The Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of former team owner and groundbreaking media entrepreneur Ted Turner, who died at 87 after a prolonged battle with Lewy body dementia, according to a family announcement.
Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler described Turner as “a true original and a visionary whose influence extended well beyond sports.” Ressler recalled their first meetings during Turner’s early expansion of his media empire, saying, “He was larger than life, boundless in imagination and willing to pursue his dreams on a scale that few could even contemplate.”
Turner purchased the Hawks in 1977, keeping the franchise in Atlanta until selling the club in 1982. During his tenure, he folded the team into his rapidly growing Turner Broadcasting System, boosting the Hawks’ national profile through regular television exposure.
In recognition of his impact, the organization later retired a jersey bearing Turner’s name and hung a commemorative banner inside State Farm Arena.
Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said Turner’s vision reached far beyond basketball. “Ted didn’t just build businesses, he built movements,” Koonin noted. “He transformed Atlanta into a global center for media and sports.”
Beyond the NBA, Turner’s achievements include founding CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network, and assembling a wide-ranging portfolio of influential media properties that reshaped the industry.
“Seeing his name raised above the rafters serves as a constant reminder of the standard he set and the legacy he built,” Ressler added.
Turner is survived by his children and extended family.
Source: Hoops Wire
